Organics Diversion and Composting

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Compostable materials such as food scraps and yard trimmings make up nearly 30% of all municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. Instead of disposing of this material in landfills and incinerators, composting uses organic material to create a valuable product with environmental and economic benefits, including greenhouse gas emissions reductions and green jobs.

Recycling of some organic materials, such as yard trimmings and manure, is widespread in Maryland. One area of growing interest is food scraps diversion. Though only an estimated 9.6% of food scraps was recycled in Maryland in 2014, much of the remaining material could be prevented, used to feed humans or animals, or composted.

Parking: Study Group attendees will park in the Blue Lot and enter the building through the tunnel (located at the back right corner as entering the blue lot). The Blue Lot is on the left, prior to the railroad tracks if approaching​ from 95 or traveling north on Washington Blvd. Or on the right, after the Red Lot and the railroad tracks if approaching from Baltimore City or Monroe St.

Call-In: Study Group members ONLY have the ability to call into the meetings. The multi-party conference line accomdates up to 14 people. Study Group members should contact the Department for the call-in number.

Add’l Info: The Maryland Department of the Environment (the “Department”) has scheduled a meeting of the study group required by House Bill 171 – Department of the Environment – Yard Waste, Food Residuals, and Other Organic Materials Diversion and Infrastructure – Study. The bill requires the Maryland Department of the Environment (the “Department”), in consultation with certain persons, to study and make recommendations regarding specified matters that relate to the diversion of yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials from refuse disposal facilities, including the status of infrastructure in the State. The complete text of the bill is available at http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/Chapters_noln/CH_384_hb0171e.pdf.

Meetings are tentatively scheduled to occur every other month in 2018. If necessary, more frequent meetings will be scheduled. However, it is anticipated that, even if additional meetings are necessary, study group meetings will take place no more than once per month. Future meeting notices will be posted here and on the Department’s Public Meeting Calendar web page.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (the Department) has published a final General Composting Facility Permit (GCFP) as provided under Environment Article, §9-1725, Annotated Code of Maryland, and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 26.04.11.11.

Certain water related permits may be applicable to a composting facility. See the Contacts section below, for groundwater and stormwater discharge contact information.

Composting Facilities

As of July 1, 2018, the Department has reviewed 22 applications for composting permits. As a result of the reviews, the Department has issued 17 certificates for coverage under the General Permit, modified 4 landfill refuse disposal permits to include composting, and issued 1 Individual Composting Facility Permit.Currently, 18 facilities are operating. Out of the 18 facilities, 13 compost yard waste, 3 compost both food and yard waste, 1 composts food waste and manure, and 1 composts hay, straw, and manure.​

Composting Facility Regulations Adopted (COMAR 26.04.11)

On June 12, 2015, a Notice of Final Action was published adopting new composting facility regulations effective July 1, 2015. The Final Action adopted the regulations as proposed in December 2014, with several minor nonsubstantive changes. The changes are listed in the Notice of Final Action.

Fact Sheets

Resources

The following are collections of organics diversion resources targeted to various audiences. These resources can help you start an organics diversion program at work, school, or home, or simply learn more about compost and its use.